Learning Objectives
In this section you will:
- View vectors geometrically.
- Find magnitude and direction.
- Perform vector addition and scalar multiplication.
- Find the component form of a vector.
- Find the unit vector in the direction of .
- Perform operations with vectors in terms of and .
- Find the dot product of two vectors.
An airplane is flying at an airspeed of 200 miles per hour headed on a SE bearing of 140°. A north wind (from north to south) is blowing at 16.2 miles per hour, as shown in Figure 1. What are the ground speed and actual bearing of the plane?
Ground speed refers to the speed of a plane relative to the ground. Airspeed refers to the speed a plane can travel relative to its surrounding air mass. These two quantities are not the same because of the effect of wind. In an earlier section, we used triangles to solve a similar problem involving the movement of boats. Later in this section, we will find the airplane’s groundspeed and bearing, while investigating another approach to problems of this type. First, however, let’s examine the basics of vectors.
A Geometric View of Vectors
A vector is a specific quantity drawn as a line segment with an arrowhead at one end. It has an initial point, where it begins, and a terminal point, where it ends. A vector is defined by its magnitude, or the length of the line, and its direction, indicated by an arrowhead at the terminal point. Thus, a vector is a directed line segment. There are various symbols that distinguish vectors from other quantities:
- Lower case, boldfaced type, with or without an arrow on top such as
- Given initial point and terminal point a vector can be represented as The arrowhead on top is what indicates that it is not just a line, but a directed line segment.
- Given an initial point of and terminal point a vector may be represented as
This last symbol has special significance. It is called the standard position. The position vector has an initial point and a terminal point To change any vector into the position vector, we think about the change in the x-coordinates and the change in the y-coordinates. Thus, if the initial point of a vector is and the terminal point is then the position vector is found by calculating
In Figure 2, we see the original vector and the position vector
Properties of Vectors
A vector is a directed line segment with an initial point and a terminal point. Vectors are identified by magnitude, or the length of the line, and direction, represented by the arrowhead pointing toward the terminal point. The position vector has an initial point at and is identified by its terminal point
Example 1
Find the Position Vector
Consider the vector whose initial point is and terminal point is Find the position vector.
Example 2
Drawing a Vector with the Given Criteria and Its Equivalent Position Vector
Find the position vector given that vector has an initial point at and a terminal point at then graph both vectors in the same plane.
Draw a vector that connects from the origin to the point
Finding Magnitude and Direction
To work with a vector, we need to be able to find its magnitude and its direction. We find its magnitude using the Pythagorean Theorem or the distance formula, and we find its direction using the inverse tangent function.
Magnitude and Direction of a Vector
Given a position vector the magnitude is found by The direction is equal to the angle formed with the x-axis, or with the y-axis, depending on the application. For a position vector, the direction is found by as illustrated in Figure 5.
Two vectors v and u are considered equal if they have the same magnitude and the same direction. Additionally, if both vectors have the same position vector, they are equal.
Example 3
Finding the Magnitude and Direction of a Vector
Find the magnitude and direction of the vector with initial point and terminal point Draw the vector.
Example 4
Showing That Two Vectors Are Equal
Show that vector v with initial point at and terminal point at is equal to vector u with initial point at and terminal point at Draw the position vector on the same grid as v and u. Next, find the magnitude and direction of each vector.
Performing Vector Addition and Scalar Multiplication
Now that we understand the properties of vectors, we can perform operations involving them. While it is convenient to think of the vector as an arrow or directed line segment from the origin to the point vectors can be situated anywhere in the plane. The sum of two vectors u and v, or vector addition, produces a third vector u+ v, the resultant vector.
To find u + v, we first draw the vector u, and from the terminal end of u, we drawn the vector v. In other words, we have the initial point of v meet the terminal end of u. This position corresponds to the notion that we move along the first vector and then, from its terminal point, we move along the second vector. The sum u + v is the resultant vector because it results from addition or subtraction of two vectors. The resultant vector travels directly from the beginning of u to the end of v in a straight path, as shown in Figure 8.
Vector subtraction is similar to vector addition. To find u − v, view it as u + (−v). Adding −v is reversing direction of v and adding it to the end of u. The new vector begins at the start of u and stops at the end point of −v. See Figure 9 for a visual that compares vector addition and vector subtraction using parallelograms.
Example 5
Adding and Subtracting Vectors
Given and find two new vectors u + v, and u − v.
Multiplying By a Scalar
While adding and subtracting vectors gives us a new vector with a different magnitude and direction, the process of multiplying a vector by a scalar, a constant, changes only the magnitude of the vector or the length of the line. Scalar multiplication has no effect on the direction unless the scalar is negative, in which case the direction of the resulting vector is opposite the direction of the original vector.
Scalar Multiplication
Scalar multiplication involves the product of a vector and a scalar. Each component of the vector is multiplied by the scalar. Thus, to multiply by , we have
Only the magnitude changes, unless is negative, and then the vector reverses direction.
Example 6
Performing Scalar Multiplication
Given vector find 3v, and −v.
Analysis
Notice that the vector 3v is three times the length of v, is half the length of v, and –v is the same length of v, but in the opposite direction.
Find the scalar multiple 3 given
Example 7
Using Vector Addition and Scalar Multiplication to Find a New Vector
Given and find a new vector w = 3u + 2v.
Finding Component Form
In some applications involving vectors, it is helpful for us to be able to break a vector down into its components. Vectors are comprised of two components: the horizontal component is the direction, and the vertical component is the direction. For example, we can see in the graph in Figure 12 that the position vector comes from adding the vectors v1 and v2. We have v1 with initial point and terminal point
We also have v2 with initial point and terminal point
Therefore, the position vector is
Using the Pythagorean Theorem, the magnitude of v1 is 2, and the magnitude of v2 is 3. To find the magnitude of v, use the formula with the position vector.
The magnitude of v is To find the direction, we use the tangent function
Thus, the magnitude of is and the direction is off the horizontal.
Example 8
Finding the Components of the Vector
Find the components of the vector with initial point and terminal point
Finding the Unit Vector in the Direction of v
In addition to finding a vector’s components, it is also useful in solving problems to find a vector in the same direction as the given vector, but of magnitude 1. We call a vector with a magnitude of 1 a unit vector. We can then preserve the direction of the original vector while simplifying calculations.
Unit vectors are defined in terms of components. The horizontal unit vector is written as and is directed along the positive horizontal axis. The vertical unit vector is written as and is directed along the positive vertical axis. See Figure 14.
The Unit Vectors
If is a nonzero vector, then is a unit vector in the direction of Any vector divided by its magnitude is a unit vector. Notice that magnitude is always a scalar, and dividing by a scalar is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal of the scalar.
Example 9
Finding the Unit Vector in the Direction of v
Find a unit vector in the same direction as
Performing Operations with Vectors in Terms of i and j
So far, we have investigated the basics of vectors: magnitude and direction, vector addition and subtraction, scalar multiplication, the components of vectors, and the representation of vectors geometrically. Now that we are familiar with the general strategies used in working with vectors, we will represent vectors in rectangular coordinates in terms of i and j.
Vectors in the Rectangular Plane
Given a vector with initial point and terminal point v is written as
The position vector from to where and is written as v = ai + bj. This vector sum is called a linear combination of the vectors i and j.
The magnitude of v = ai + bj is given as See Figure 16.
Example 10
Writing a Vector in Terms of i and j
Given a vector with initial point and terminal point write the vector in terms of and
Example 11
Writing a Vector in Terms of i and j Using Initial and Terminal Points
Given initial point and terminal point write the vector in terms of and
Write the vector with initial point and terminal point in terms of and
Performing Operations on Vectors in Terms of i and j
When vectors are written in terms of and we can carry out addition, subtraction, and scalar multiplication by performing operations on corresponding components.
Adding and Subtracting Vectors in Rectangular Coordinates
Given v = ai + bj and u = ci + dj, then
Example 12
Finding the Sum of the Vectors
Find the sum of and
Calculating the Component Form of a Vector: Direction
We have seen how to draw vectors according to their initial and terminal points and how to find the position vector. We have also examined notation for vectors drawn specifically in the Cartesian coordinate plane using For any of these vectors, we can calculate the magnitude. Now, we want to combine the key points, and look further at the ideas of magnitude and direction.
Calculating direction follows the same straightforward process we used for polar coordinates. We find the direction of the vector by finding the angle to the horizontal. We do this by using the basic trigonometric identities, but with replacing
Vector Components in Terms of Magnitude and Direction
Given a position vector and a direction angle
Thus, and magnitude is expressed as
Example 13
Writing a Vector in Terms of Magnitude and Direction
Write a vector with length 7 at an angle of 135° to the positive x-axis in terms of magnitude and direction.
A vector travels from the origin to the point Write the vector in terms of magnitude and direction.
Finding the Dot Product of Two Vectors
As we discussed earlier in the section, scalar multiplication involves multiplying a vector by a scalar, and the result is a vector. As we have seen, multiplying a vector by a number is called scalar multiplication. If we multiply a vector by a vector, there are two possibilities: the dot product and the cross product. We will only examine the dot product here; you may encounter the cross product in more advanced mathematics courses.
The dot product of two vectors involves multiplying two vectors together, and the result is a scalar.
Dot Product
The dot product of two vectors and is the sum of the product of the horizontal components and the product of the vertical components.
To find the angle between the two vectors, use the formula below.
Example 14
Finding the Dot Product of Two Vectors
Find the dot product of and
Example 15
Finding the Dot Product of Two Vectors and the Angle between Them
Find the dot product of v1 = 5i + 2j and v2 = 3i + 7j. Then, find the angle between the two vectors.
Example 16
Finding the Angle between Two Vectors
Find the angle between and
Example 17
Finding Ground Speed and Bearing Using Vectors
We now have the tools to solve the problem we introduced in the opening of the section.
An airplane is flying at an airspeed of 200 miles per hour headed on a SE bearing of 140°. A north wind (from north to south) is blowing at 16.2 miles per hour. What are the ground speed and actual bearing of the plane? See Figure 19.
Media
Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with vectors.
10.8 Section Exercises
Verbal
How is a vector more specific than a line segment?
What is component form?
Algebraic
Given a vector with initial point and terminal point find an equivalent vector whose initial point is Write the vector in component form
Given a vector with initial point and terminal point find an equivalent vector whose initial point is Write the vector in component form
Given a vector with initial point and terminal point find an equivalent vector whose initial point is Write the vector in component form
For the following exercises, determine whether the two vectors and are equal, where has an initial point and a terminal point and has an initial point and a terminal point .
and
and
Given initial point and terminal point write the vector in terms of and
For the following exercises, use the vectors u = i + 5j, v = −2i− 3j, and w = 4i − j.
Find u + (v − w)
For the following exercises, use the given vectors to compute u + v, u − v, and 2u − 3v.
Let v = −4i + 3j. Find a vector that is half the length and points in the same direction as
For the following exercises, find a unit vector in the same direction as the given vector.
a = 3i + 4j
c = 10i – j
u = 100i + 200j
For the following exercises, find the magnitude and direction of the vector,
Given u = 3i − 4j and v = −2i + 3j, calculate
Given and calculate
Graphical
For the following exercises, given draw 3v and
For the following exercises, use the vectors shown to sketch u + v, u − v, and 2u.
For the following exercises, use the vectors shown to sketch 2u + v.
For the following exercises, use the vectors shown to sketch u − 3v.
For the following exercises, write the vector shown in component form.
Given initial point and terminal point write the vector in terms of and then draw the vector on the graph.
Given initial point and terminal point write the vector in terms of and Draw the points and the vector on the graph.
Given initial point and terminal point write the vector in terms of and Draw the points and the vector on the graph.
Extensions
For the following exercises, use the given magnitude and direction in standard position, write the vector in component form.
A 60-pound box is resting on a ramp that is inclined 12°. Rounding to the nearest tenth,
- ⓐ Find the magnitude of the normal (perpendicular) component of the force.
- ⓑ Find the magnitude of the component of the force that is parallel to the ramp.
A 25-pound box is resting on a ramp that is inclined 8°. Rounding to the nearest tenth,
- ⓐ Find the magnitude of the normal (perpendicular) component of the force.
- ⓑ Find the magnitude of the component of the force that is parallel to the ramp.
Find the magnitude of the horizontal and vertical components of a vector with magnitude 8 pounds pointed in a direction of 27° above the horizontal. Round to the nearest hundredth.
Find the magnitude of the horizontal and vertical components of the vector with magnitude 4 pounds pointed in a direction of 127° above the horizontal. Round to the nearest hundredth.
Find the magnitude of the horizontal and vertical components of a vector with magnitude 5 pounds pointed in a direction of 55° above the horizontal. Round to the nearest hundredth.
Find the magnitude of the horizontal and vertical components of the vector with magnitude 1 pound pointed in a direction of 8° above the horizontal. Round to the nearest hundredth.
Real-World Applications
A woman leaves home and walks 3 miles west, then 2 miles southwest. How far from home is she, and in what direction must she walk to head directly home?
A boat leaves the marina and sails 6 miles north, then 2 miles northeast. How far from the marina is the boat, and in what direction must it sail to head directly back to the marina?
A man starts walking from home and walks 4 miles east, 2 miles southeast, 5 miles south, 4 miles southwest, and 2 miles east. How far has he walked? If he walked straight home, how far would he have to walk?
A woman starts walking from home and walks 4 miles east, 7 miles southeast, 6 miles south, 5 miles southwest, and 3 miles east. How far has she walked? If she walked straight home, how far would she have to walk?
A man starts walking from home and walks 3 miles at 20° north of west, then 5 miles at 10° west of south, then 4 miles at 15° north of east. If he walked straight home, how far would he have to the walk, and in what direction?
A woman starts walking from home and walks 6 miles at 40° north of east, then 2 miles at 15° east of south, then 5 miles at 30° south of west. If she walked straight home, how far would she have to walk, and in what direction?
An airplane is heading north at an airspeed of 600 km/hr, but there is a wind blowing from the southwest at 80 km/hr. How many degrees off course will the plane end up flying, and what is the plane’s speed relative to the ground?
An airplane is heading north at an airspeed of 500 km/hr, but there is a wind blowing from the northwest at 50 km/hr. How many degrees off course will the plane end up flying, and what is the plane’s speed relative to the ground?
An airplane needs to head due north, but there is a wind blowing from the southwest at 60 km/hr. The plane flies with an airspeed of 550 km/hr. To end up flying due north, how many degrees west of north will the pilot need to fly the plane?
An airplane needs to head due north, but there is a wind blowing from the northwest at 80 km/hr. The plane flies with an airspeed of 500 km/hr. To end up flying due north, how many degrees west of north will the pilot need to fly the plane?
As part of a video game, the point is rotated counterclockwise about the origin through an angle of 35°. Find the new coordinates of this point.
As part of a video game, the point is rotated counterclockwise about the origin through an angle of 40°. Find the new coordinates of this point.
Two children are throwing a ball back and forth straight across the back seat of a car. The ball is being thrown 10 mph relative to the car, and the car is traveling 25 mph down the road. If one child doesn't catch the ball, and it flies out the window, in what direction does the ball fly (ignoring wind resistance)?
Two children are throwing a ball back and forth straight across the back seat of a car. The ball is being thrown 8 mph relative to the car, and the car is traveling 45 mph down the road. If one child doesn't catch the ball, and it flies out the window, in what direction does the ball fly (ignoring wind resistance)?
A 50-pound object rests on a ramp that is inclined 19°. Find the magnitude of the components of the force parallel to and perpendicular to (normal) the ramp to the nearest tenth of a pound.
Suppose a body has a force of 10 pounds acting on it to the right, 25 pounds acting on it upward, and 5 pounds acting on it 45° from the horizontal. What single force is the resultant force acting on the body?
Suppose a body has a force of 10 pounds acting on it to the right, 25 pounds acting on it ─135° from the horizontal, and 5 pounds acting on it directed 150° from the horizontal. What single force is the resultant force acting on the body?
The condition of equilibrium is when the sum of the forces acting on a body is the zero vector. Suppose a body has a force of 2 pounds acting on it to the right, 5 pounds acting on it upward, and 3 pounds acting on it 45° from the horizontal. What single force is needed to produce a state of equilibrium on the body?
Suppose a body has a force of 3 pounds acting on it to the left, 4 pounds acting on it upward, and 2 pounds acting on it 30° from the horizontal. What single force is needed to produce a state of equilibrium on the body? Draw the vector.